Why some airlines are banned from the EU

If you’ve ever used a flight comparison website, you’ll often see the same airlines popping up at the top of your search results; Ryanair, EasyJet, British Airlines. Or maybe some newer, budget airlines like Wizz Air or Germanwings.

But if you’re travelling long haul and opt to catch a cheaper connecting flight outside of the EU, you may notice strange airlines operating the second or third-leg of your journey.

This is nothing new, even when booking your entire journey directly with a specific airline.

For example, British Airways and Iberia often tag team journey’s depending on the time and destination of your flight. Different name, different planes, but ultimately owned by the same company.

There are, however, a few airlines that you’ll never see flying in or out of Europe but operate very successful and popular services elsewhere in the world.

No, it’s not for geographic or economic reasons. To put it bluntly – they’re banned! Blue Sky, Cronos Airlines and Nova Airways are just some airlines that are banned from even flying in European airspace, let alone landing.

After doing a bit of digging, we start to spot a trend emerging. Blue Sky is operated out of the Democratic Republic of Congo, Cronos Airlines out of Equatorial Guinea and Nova Airways from Sudan.

To quote the European Commission website, “Working in close cooperation with safety authorities in Member States, other countries and international aviation organisations, the European Union strives to raise these standards across the world. However, some airlines still operate in conditions which fall below essential and internationally recognised safety levels.”

“To improve safety further, the European Commission – in close consultation with the aviation safety authorities of all Member States – has decided to ban certain airlines from operating in European airspace, because they are found to be unsafe and/or they are not sufficiently overseen by their authorities.”

So the next time you’re looking to catch a cheap connecting flight on your next adventure, do your research first.

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They say it's better to travel than to arrive. We think both are important.

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Our brand new 245 room hotel offers 'Sleep Haven Zones’, family rooms, a business floor and Presidential Suite. Park at the terminal through one of our exclusive deals; check your bags with your airline and take your overnight bag to the room; send an email with free WiFi; relax on your sumptuous king-sized bed, watching one of our HD LED TVs; freshen up in a monsoon-drench shower wet room and seamlessly check out to arrive at your gate in a great mood to enjoy your holiday or business trip. So much more for less.

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